The culture media for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) were contrived from both egg-based and agar based ingredients. In 1903, Dorset introduced the first egg-based medium. It was followed by the invention of Lowenstein-Jensen and Ogawa media that contain whole eggs as nutrient and malachite green to inhibit the growth of contaminants. These media have been used worldwide for their usefulness and inexpensiveness. However they have a fundamental disadvantage that the cultivation time for mycobacterial growth takes more than 4 weeks. In 1947, Dubos introduced the first agar medium and followed by the invention of the 7H10 by Middlebrook and Cohn. A powder base of these media contains agar, combination of seven salts, L-glutamic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and malachite green. This requires the addition of the oleic acid, albumin, dextrose, and catalase (OADC) growth supplement. BACTEC MGIT960 has recently been introduced for rapid cultivation of MTB, which is fully automated liquid culture system with modified 7H9 broth. Agar-based medium developed by Middlebrook has a number of advantages over egg-based medium. One of them is transparency, which enables earlier detection of growing colonies. The major disadvantages of agar media are the high cost of OADC and the need for a CO2 incubator. In conclusion, there is a need for a new agar medium, which can be produced at a lower cost and earlier growth detection. In this review, we introduced the growth promoting factors which can be used as an alternative new growth supplement, cAMP and resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf). These factors may abrogate a lag in adaption of the bacilli in culture media.
Agar ; Biotin ; Catalase ; Culture Media ; Eggs ; Glucose ; Glutamic Acid ; Incubators ; Inventions ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Oleic Acid ; Ovum ; Pyridoxine ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Salts

PURPOSE: Asthma is prevalent in many countries. Few studies have investigated the association between asthma and concomitant diseases. We retrospectively analyzed the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey database, performed in 2008 using nationwide stratified random sampling to obtain a representative cohort of the Korean population. METHODS: We evaluated the association between both self-reported ever-asthmatics and wheezers and concomitant diseases such as arthritis, hypertension, gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, rhinitis, depression, stroke, and obesity in subjects aged > or =40 years. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify concomitant diseases independently associated with asthma, after adjustment for age, gender, income, cigarette smoking, and other chronic diseases. RESULTS: Of the total of 4,445 subjects, 2,596 (58.4%) were female and the mean age was 58.3 years. Of the 4,445 subjects, 195 (4.4%) had been diagnosed with asthma at some point, and 444 (10%) were wheezers. Multivariate analysis showed that arthritis (odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.42), rhinitis (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.14-2.78), depression (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.05-2.07), and obesity (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.40) were significantly associated with self-reported ever-asthma, and arthritis (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.19-1.909), hypertension (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.07-1.67), GI ulcers (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.08), rhinitis (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.16-2.19), depression (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.51-2.48), and obesity (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.17-2.09) were significantly associated with wheezers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that arthritis, rhinitis, depression, and obesity may be associated with both self-reported ever asthma and wheezers in the Korean population.
Aged ; Arthritis ; Asthma ; Cohort Studies ; Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis ; Smoking ; Stroke ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity and insulin resistance are also common features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, the FTO gene might be a candidate gene for PCOS susceptibility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of FTO gene variants on PCOS susceptibility and metabolic and reproductive hormonal parameters. METHODS: We recruited 432 women with PCOS (24+/-5 years) and 927 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles (27+/-5 years) and performed a case-control association study. We genotyped the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1421085, rs17817449, and rs8050136 in the FTO gene and collected metabolic and hormonal measurements. RESULTS: Logistic regression revealed that the G/G genotype (rs1421085, 1.6%), the C/C genotype (rs17817449, 1.6%), and the A/A genotype (rs8050136, 1.6%) were strongly associated with an increased risk of PCOS (odds ratio, 2.551 to 2.559; all P<0.05). The strengths of these associations were attenuated after adjusting for age and BMI. The women with these genotypes were more obese and exhibited higher free androgen indices (P<0.05) and higher free testosterone levels (P=0.053 to 0.063) compared to the other genotypes. However the significant differences disappeared after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). When we analyzed the women with PCOS and the control groups separately, there were no significant differences in the metabolic and reproductive hormonal parameters according to the FTO gene variants. CONCLUSION: The rs1421085, rs17817449, and rs8050136 variants of the FTO gene were associated with PCOS susceptibility and hyperandrogenemia in young Korean women. These associations may be mediated through an effect of BMI.
Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Insulin Resistance ; Logistic Models ; Menstrual Cycle ; Obesity ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Testosterone

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes pulmonary components with increased comorbidity rates, as well as being a systemic disease. Comorbidities may frequently occur in COPD patients over 40 yr old. We report the comorbidities of patients with COPD, diagnosed by spirometry, in a population-based epidemiologic survey in Korea. Data were derived from the fourth Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2008, a stratified multistage clustered probability design survey of a sample representing the entire population of Korea. Results of spirometry and various health-related questionnaires were analyzed in 2,177 subjects aged > or = 40 yr. The prevalence of COPD (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) in subjects > or = 40 yr of age was 14.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that underweight (odds ratio [OR] 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-8.98), coronary heart disease (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.93) and dyslipidemia (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.82) were significantly associated with COPD, whereas allergic rhinitis, anemia, arthritis, chronic renal failure, depression, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gastrointestinal ulcer, and osteoporosis were not. Underweight might be more prevalent but coronary heart disease and dyslipidemia are less prevalent in Koreans with than without COPD in population setting.
Adult ; Comorbidity ; Coronary Disease/complications/diagnosis ; Dyslipidemias/complications/diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis/*epidemiology/etiology ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Spirometry ; Thinness

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although increased serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level has been suggested to be a surrogate marker of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), its association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is controversial, and its diagnostic value has not been determined. We aimed to observe the relationship between the AMH level and PCOS phenotypes and to determine the optimal cutoff value of AMH for the diagnosis of PCOS in young Korean women. METHODS: We recruited 207 women with PCOS (120 with PCOM and 87 without PCOM) and 220 regular cycling women with normoandrogenemia (100 with PCOM and 120 without PCOM). Subjects underwent testing at a single outpatient visit. Serum AMH level was measured. RESULTS: Women with PCOS had higher serum AMH levels than did regular cycling women with normoandrogenemia (p < 0.05). Women with PCOM had higher serum AMH levels than women without PCOM, regardless of PCOS status (p < 0.05). The optimal AMH cutoff value for the diagnosis of PCOS was 10.0 ng/mL (71% sensitivity, 93% specificity). Serum AMH was an independent determinant of total testosterone after adjustment for age, body mass index, and the number of menses/year (β = 0.31, p < 0.01). An association between AMH and hyperandrogenism was only observed in women with PCOS, and it was independent of the presence of PCOM. CONCLUSION: The serum AMH level can be useful for the diagnosis of PCOS at any age less than 40 years, and the optimal cutoff value for the diagnosis of PCOS identified in this study of young Korean women was 10.0 ng/mL.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; Biomarkers ; Body Mass Index ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Outpatients ; Ovarian Cysts ; Phenotype ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Testosterone

PURPOSE: The triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio could be related to insulin resistance (IR). We previously reported that Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) had a high prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We aimed to determine the cutoff value of the TG/HDL-C ratio for predicting IR and to examine whether the TG/HDL-C ratio is useful for identifying individuals at risk of IGT in young Korean women with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 450 women with PCOS (24±5 yrs) and performed a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). IR was assessed by a homeostasis model assessment index over that of the 95th percentile of regular-cycling women who served as the controls (n=450, 24±4 yrs). RESULTS: The cutoff value of the TG/HDL-C ratio for predicting IR was 2.5 in women with PCOS. Among the women with PCOS who had normal fasting glucose (NFG), the prevalence of IGT was significantly higher in the women with PCOS who had a high TG/HDL-C ratio compared with those with a low TG/HDL-C ratio (15.6% vs. 5.6%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The cutoff value of the TG/HDL-C ratio for predicting IR was 2.5 in young Korean women with PCOS, and women with NFG and a high TG/HDL-C ratio had a higher prevalence of IGT. Therefore, Korean women with PCOS with a TG/HDL-C ratio >2.5 are recommended to be administered an OGTT to detect IGT even if they have NFG.
Cholesterol* ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glucose* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides*

PURPOSE: The triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio could be related to insulin resistance (IR). We previously reported that Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) had a high prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We aimed to determine the cutoff value of the TG/HDL-C ratio for predicting IR and to examine whether the TG/HDL-C ratio is useful for identifying individuals at risk of IGT in young Korean women with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 450 women with PCOS (24±5 yrs) and performed a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). IR was assessed by a homeostasis model assessment index over that of the 95th percentile of regular-cycling women who served as the controls (n=450, 24±4 yrs). RESULTS: The cutoff value of the TG/HDL-C ratio for predicting IR was 2.5 in women with PCOS. Among the women with PCOS who had normal fasting glucose (NFG), the prevalence of IGT was significantly higher in the women with PCOS who had a high TG/HDL-C ratio compared with those with a low TG/HDL-C ratio (15.6% vs. 5.6%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The cutoff value of the TG/HDL-C ratio for predicting IR was 2.5 in young Korean women with PCOS, and women with NFG and a high TG/HDL-C ratio had a higher prevalence of IGT. Therefore, Korean women with PCOS with a TG/HDL-C ratio >2.5 are recommended to be administered an OGTT to detect IGT even if they have NFG.
Cholesterol* ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glucose* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides*

BACKGROUND: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is suggested to play an important role in the progression of metabolic syndrome. We aimed to establish a simple method to measure EAT and examine the differences in EAT thickness according to the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity. METHODS: A total of 94 patients (42.6% type 2 diabetes mellitus, 53.2% obese, mean age 61+/-13) who underwent multidetector computed tomography were enrolled. Thickness of EAT was measured on the parasternal short and horizontal long axis view. Epicardial fat area (EFA) was measured at the level of left main coronary artery (LMCA). RESULTS: All EAT thicknesses were correlated with EFA at the LMCA level (r=0.235 to 0.613, all Ps<0.05), and EAT thickness in the left atrioventricular groove (LAVG) had the highest correlation coefficient (r=0.613). EFA, and EAT thicknesses in the LAVG and the left ventricular apex were higher in the group with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the group without type 2 diabetes mellitus when adjusted only for body mass index. When adjusted only for type 2 diabetes mellitus, EFA, and EAT thicknesses in the LAVG and the right atrioventricular groove were higher in obese group than in nonobese group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, EAT thickness can be easily measured and represent EFA. EAT thickness, especially in LAVG, was higher in groups with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity independently. These findings implicate that EAT thickness may be a useful indicator for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Adipose Tissue* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Body Mass Index ; Coronary Vessels ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Humans ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Obesity*

We aimed to review whether pretreatment inflammatory markers reflect the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colon cancer, rectal cancer, colon and rectal cancers, and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We found that pretreatment complete blood count and blood chemistry tests reflect short-term and long-term oncological outcomes in patients with CRC. Specifically, in patients with colon cancer, hypoalbuminemia was associated with worse postoperative morbidity, mortality, and inferior survival. In patients with rectal cancer, elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and thrombocytosis were associated with postoperative complications, poor overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). A high C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with poor OS and DFS. In patients with metastatic CRC, increased NLR and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were associated with poor OS, DFS, and progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, high CAR and a low albumin/globulin ratio on blood chemistry tests were associated with poor OS and PFS. Although universal cut-off values were not available, various types of pretreatment laboratory markers could be utilized as adjuncts to predict prognosis in patients with CRC.

Brunner's gland adenoma is a rare benign tumor that is usually asymptomatic and it the result of a benign proliferation of the Brunner's glands of the duodenum. In symptomatic patients, the common clinical presentation is gastrointestinal bleeding and obstructive symptoms. A 48-year-old man presented with abdominal discomfort and vomiting. The endoscopic examination revealed a large pedunculated polypoid mass arising in the bulb and it was prolapsing through the pylorus into the antrum, and this all resulted in a ball-valve obstruction. After endoclips were applied at the peduncle of the mass, this polyp was simply and successfully cut with using an IT-knife without bleeding or perforation. We report here on a case of Brunner's gland adenoma that caused a ball-valve obstruction, and the tumor was removed by a simple and easy method with using endoclips and an IT-knife.
Adenoma ; Brunner Glands ; Duodenum ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polyps ; Pylorus ; Vomiting